The inflammatory remarks drew swift condemnation from Congress. A case of hate speech has also been registered against the BJP leader from Uttar Kannada
Team Clarion
BENGALURU – BJP MP from Uttar Kannada Anantkumar Hegde, notorious for making inflammatory remarks against Islam and Muslims, has triggered a huge controversy by suggesting that world peace is unattainable as long as Islam exists.
The “BJP and RSS have to be in power for peace in the world,” he said.
“Only if we are present, the world can be saved. We are members of BJP and Sangha Parivar. If we stay here, there will be peace in the world. If we are not there, there won’t be any world peace. I’ve previously conveyed that as long as Islam exists, there is no world peace. They filed a case against me after that, but I am not afraid,” he said while addressing party workers in Uttara Kannada district on Thursday.
Hegde also asked voters to support the BJP to keep Prime Minister Narendra Modi in power.
Hours after Hegde made the remarkst, a suo moto case was filed against him. “The case relates to hate speech and an attempt to create unrest in the district”, said Karwar Superintendent of Police Vishnuvarshan.
Hegde’s remarks drew swift condemnation from Congress with its leaders denouncing them as divisive. Congress MLA R.V. Deshpande criticised Hegde for his remarks and accused him of disregarding democratic values and promoting divisiveness between Hindus and Muslims ahead of elections.
“He has put aside the democratic values. He feels that Hindus and Muslims are different. Where was he for the past 5 years? Was he sleeping? Now that elections are nearing, again he has spoken up,” Deshpande said.
BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswmay, while refraining from directly addressing Hegde’s comments, deemed them as his personal opinion. “Congress has always questioned everybody because they try to please one community,” he said.
Last month, Hegde was in the news for making a controversial statement about the destruction of Bhatkal mosque. Addressing a gathering in the Uttara Kannada district, Hegde remarked that the Bhatkal Mosque would be destroyed similar to the Babri Masjid, which was demolished by Kar Sevaks in 1992. “This is not the decision of Anantkumar Hegde, but the decision of Hindu society,” he said.
